**UPDATE**
Congratulations to the winners of the birthday drawing! Your names are posted below. Watch your inbox for an email from Living Proof later today so that we can get you your gift!
BONUS: The wonderful people at AMG Publishers have extended a 50% discount to any of you who would like to order a Key Word Study Bible! Click here to get more information, or to order your Bible. AMG Publishers
Winners:
#523 – Carole Germain #4348 – Karen Quinn
#2282 – Merissa G. #4399 – Anna Bunch
#2321 – Marilyn Riley #4430 – Nancy Beeey
#2756 – Merissa Ury #4813 – Myrlene Darnell
#2876 – Beth Longar #5648 – Nan Smith
#3937 – Dani Turner #5798 – Rachel C.
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A few nights ago I walked my buck wild new puppy around my neighborhood, watched the sun sink deep down into the horizon, and then settled in back at home. I flipped on my favorite season of the West Wing and I ate an entire bag of tortilla chips and ¾ a jar of my favorite salsa for dinner. What is it they say again? The apple does not fall far from the tree. Or something like that?
You see when we were growing up Mom would throw us kids in the back of Brontosaurus the station wagon and haul us halfway across the city to her old favorite Tex-Mex joint. She ordered a pint of salsa and a gigantic grease-stained brown paper bag of tortilla chips for take-out and she would eat all of this and only this for her dinner. Her own dinner. I can’t remember what we kids even ate, or if she fed us at all. I’m only kidding about that last part.
My mom was born at high noon in a fierce thunderstorm, my grandfather said. Her presence still shifts the atmosphere. A few weeks ago Mom left for a week in the hill country for a time of writing and solitude. The second she got back home, I loaded up my stuff and headed out to spend a night with she and my Dad. You see, for me, going to hang out with my parents isn’t really like going to hang out with the parents. Far from duty, it’s one of my favorite things to do. We caught up on all the life stuff that night. And then in the morning we drank our coffee in our pajamas and by 8:30 a.m. at the latest we had already covered topics such as the theology in Ephesians, the New Testament canon, the Holy Spirit’s role in the interpretation of Scripture, and the Festal Letter of Athanasius.
I have to say, this woman utterly dazzles me. She is the sweetest in the land. She is gracious and sanguine and loving and kind, no doubt, but she is serious and intense and focused and courageous. She has opinions and perspective and boldness and wisdom from the ground like no other. For all her awesomeness she is not self-righteous or squeamish, and God knows I have pushed her limits.
Mom is deeply committed to our family and I’ve always known that full well but I’ve also seen that she’s preoccupied with something a whole lot bigger than us. Probably the most important thing I have learned from her is that being caught up in Jesus and what He is doing in the world is everything. It is the ultimate priority and a family committed to His work in the world will get the privilege of making sacrifices together.
Over the past few years in my own journey I found myself in an unknown place, a place where a heart could break deeper and wider and in more directions than I could have imagined possible. Mom has walked alongside me on this road further than any human could be expected to walk with another. She would have had good reasons to just sit out a while and catch her breath. But she never left my side. The road has been bumpy but also tedious and repetitive. When the landscape didn’t seem to change for a long, long time, she kept plodding along with me, carrying my burdens and helping me shoulder the grief that felt too much to bear.
Mom is tender and she is strong and she is not afraid to look pain and grief and loss dead in the eye. Even more, she is daring enough to hope against hope. To see in others, even me, the beginnings of life and growth and health and wholeness where others might only see brokenness and death. She has shined the light of Jesus on me more times than I can count.
She can fry a chicken and whip up mashed potatoes and gravy with the best of the Southern cooks. Her pleasures are simple: the reading of books, sitting on the front porch, walking her dogs in the woods, eating dinner with my Dad, playing games on the floor with her grandkids, and drinking tea with Amanda and me. But make no mistake she is wicked smart and complex and multifaceted. She is so much more than even the best caricature of her could ever hope to be.
I love her.
Yes, I love her. If one photo could capture the light and color she brings to my world, this is it:
It is my joy and honor to be her daughter and also to work for her at Living Proof. This blog giveaway is just one of many ways I celebrate her beautiful life today. The first three gifts are from Living Proof and the last two gifts are personal gifts from me.
First and foremost, we are giving away eight Key Word Study Bibles. My mom gave me one of these Bibles many years ago. It was one of the first Bibles I ever really remember being excited about. It helped me become familiar with various Greek and Hebrew words before I ever took a Greek or Hebrew reading class. Every time I read it I was reminded that the Scriptures we hold in our hands in English are a translation. Remembering this often is a good thing and will take a person a long way in the study of the Bible, I think.
![IMG_2993[4]](https://blog.lproof.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/IMG_29934.jpg)
Second, we are giving away an assortment of several pounds of favorite Houston coffee beans. My mom is a serious coffee drinker, so this is just an obvious addition. This package will include but not be limited to one of my current favorites:
Third, we are giving away an arrangement of fresh flowers Mom loves. And, really, who wouldn’t like these?
Fourth, we are giving away a crossbody saddlebag. Mom and I both carry versions of this crossbody bag over and over again until one breaks and we have to buy another one.
Fifth and finally, we are giving away a small bottle of Flowerbomb. Mom wears lots of different perfumes, but she most often travels with this one.
So, if you’re interested in our giveaway please do pop on and say “Happy Birthday” and show Mom some love. Your comment becomes your entry into our random drawing. Comments will officially close 24 hours after the post is published, and please only one comment per person. The names of our winners will be posted at the top of this post at some point on Thursday.
I hope you all are happy and well.
And, Mom, I love you!
The best is yet to come,
Melissa
Happy birthday Beth!! From Jackie Newell, Tupelo, MS
Happy Birthday!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Enjoy your special day.
Happy Birthday my dear sister!
Happy Birthday, dear Beth! I am so thankful for how God has used you in my life and in the lives of Bible Study women at church. I can’t wait for the next study!
Beth, Wishing you the most wonderful, awesome birthday ever! Thank you for giving of yourself over and over again to teach us God’s word. Your love, transparency, wit, encouragement and knowledge of Gods word is truly only from our Heavenly Father and I have learned so much from each of the studies I have had the privilege of being able to participate in.
Enjoy this special day and many many blessings!
Annette Nash – Grand Haven, MI
The Happiest of Birthdays to you Beth! You, yourself have been a gift from God to me so many times! I have read Gods Word more deeply, understood it more fully, and fallen more in love with our wonderful Savior because of your teaching and bible studies. I have lead several of your studies with my ladies in our womans bible study and we have been so blessed. Thank you for letting the Lord use you to minister to us. Praying the Lord will continue to strengthen and uphold you in the coming year.
Happy birthday, Beth!
Happy Birthday, Beth, you are a household name and I do claim you as a cousin since I was a Moore. We have a lot in common including we both have 2 beautiful daughters! God is so good!!
Love you so much and praying for you.
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays! And many more to come…..
Happy birthday Beth Moore. I love your bible study’s so much. Thank you for letting God use you to bring the word to life. God bless you 🙂
Happy Birthday Beth!!! Thanks for you for us sisters!!!
Happy Happy Birthday, Beth!!! Words can’t describe the way your Bible studies and conferences have changed my life. I am a better mom, wife, fill were of Christ because of you. Thank you! And I hope you have a wonderful birthday 🙂
What a sweet & thoughtful blog about your mom. She’s an incredible lady! Happy Birthday, Mrs. Beth Moore!! Thank you for your books & Bible studies.
Happy Birthday! Love your ministry and your gifts you share with everyone!
Happiest of birthdays to you Beth. Through your Bible studies and your live speakings, to you I give credit for me falling in love with the scriptures all over again. Thank you for sharing your gift with all of us that we may continue to grow in knowledge, grace and letting out lights shine so others may know the peace and love of our Lord and Savior. May you be blessed with many more birthdays to come.
Happy Birthday! Thank you for all you share to us all about Jesus.
I hope you have a wonderful Blessed day. You are loved by many as you share your Love for the Lord.
Happy, happy birthday! I love your studies, your commitment, your insight. Thanks for all you do!
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday! This is such a beautiful and touching blog post!
Happy Birthday to you
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Happy Birthday to you
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Happy Birthday Dear Beth!!!
♥ ♥♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪♫♪*•.¸¸♥
Happy Birthday to you!
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And many more!!!!
♥♪♫♪♫♪*•.¸¸♥•*¨*♥♥ 🙂
Happy Happy Birthday!
Such a beautiful tribute to your incredible Momma!
Happy Birthday Beth! This was a beautiful tribute by your daughter and brought tears to my eyes. Your ministry and writing has given me such strength and light over the years. May this next year hold great blessing and joy for you and your family
Happy Birthday Beth! You are such a great inspiration to me! You make studying the bible so exciting! I always wait in anticipation for your new bible studies to come out, and enjoy reading and re-reading the old ones! Best Wishes and God Bless!
Happy Birthday Beth
we send our love from Iowa !
Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday, dear Beth.
Happy birthday to you……and many more!!!
Beth, you are the bomb! I am so in love with your Spirit for God, and you inspire me with every study I complete with you. You make me laugh, you make me cry, and you always prompt God’s Spirit in me to afford me more and more knowledge at just the moment He wants me to experience that knowledge. I have been with you through many hairdos, Girlfriend, and I pray to be with you for many more studies (and hairdos) and then with you in eternity with our Lord where we both will hear the stories from the One and only Teacher (and where we won’t give a hoot about our hair).
Beth, on your special day, I wish you much happiness, love, and health……and, of course, lots of wonderful surprises. ❤️
I loved and agreed with every word, Melissa. Happiest of birthdays to you, Beth and may the year ahead be full of blessings for you and all your family.
Happy Birthday Beth!! The Lord has used you many times to rock my world. Thank you for allowing him to use you in so many ways to so many people. I am very grateful for this day you were born!
Happy Birthday Beth!! Thank you for your love of God and I thank God for the gift he’s give you. Blessings and Hugs!
Happy birthday, Beth! I thank the Lord for all I have learned about Him through your Bible studies. Thanks for being a godly example & for your transparency. Hope you have a fantastic birthday! 🙂
Beth, Happy Birthday today. Many years ago I did not now who you were. A friend invited me to a bible study you wrote “Daniel”. That was the first of many bible studies I have attended/and now teach that you have written. What a difference God has made in my life and what a difference you and LPM has made for me. Thank you.
What a beautiful way to honor your mom’s birthday! It delights a mom’s heart to hear that she is appreciated and loved by her children! Happy Birthday Beth!
Happy Birthday Beth…what an amazing tribute from daughter to mother…your studies have helped me more than I can express in my Christian walk. Thank you for following God’s calling on your life!
Happiest of Birthdays!! Thank you for your caring heart & for your obedience to God’s word. You are a world changer! I love digging into the scriptures with you, you do it like no other!! May you be abundantly blessed!!
Happy Birthday! May God continually equip you with everything good for doing his will.
HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS, Beth! You have walked me through so many situations in my life!! Your teaching has directed me to God in every incidence. I can’t even begin to tell you the impact you have had on my life and my ladies that come to my Tuesday morning Bible study. Even our husbands have joined us for some of your studies!! My husband goes with me to your Living Proof Live events! We were in Tampa last weekend for that AWESOME experience. God has used you and I am so grateful for what your teaching has done in my life. I pray God’s abundant blessings on you and your family.
Hey, sweet Beth. wishing you an amazing birthday today and a dreamy year ahead! What a precious tribute from your daughter. Melissa and Amanda- thank you for sharing your mom and dad with the world! Ministry is a family commitment and investment and the Moore family had been so generous.
Much Love!
Happy Blessed Birthday! May God protect you and continue to use you for His glory!
Happy Birthday from one Elizabeth to another! I hope you have the most fabulous day! I want to thank you for what you do. You have truly blessed my life and have helped me grow as a Christian. You are doing amazing things with your ministry! Thank you so much! Happy Birthday again and God Bless You!
Happy Birthday Beth, you’ve made me love Jesus to a degree I needed.Have a blessed year!
Keep it coming sister- your an encourager to all who have ears!
Birthday blessings!
Sabra
Spicewood TX
Happy Birthday, Beth!
May your day be filled with wonders of His love. And know I, among many, am so very grateful for your loving commitment to sharing the Word in order that we all might know him more deeply and follow him more nearly. You are a true servant! And we are blessed!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
I so needed this weekend in Tampa! I feel so rejuvinated! Thank you for your dedication and SACRIFICE!!
Melissa,
Thank you for sharing your heart your mom with so many people in this world…you are such an awesome writer as I was reading your beautiful writings about your mom…My heart swelled because she is the light of Jesus she shares him so freely…to others…I was how you described her in every picture…what was so amazing they didn’t have to be formal pictures they were of everyday life!!! Happy Birthday Beth…May your day continue to be blessed and favor just overpasses you with Jesus!!
God Bless You and your family!!
Lena
Happy Birthday to Beth! I have learned so much through your studies and I am so thankful to God for your talents/gifts of discipleship.
Happy Birthday, Beth.
I was so excited when I saw this post! I thought “wow..Beth Moore and I have the same Birthday!” Then I realized that it was posted two days ago!!! Bummer!!! Anyhow, I am blessed continually by Living Proof Ministry!! So on my birthday (today, the 17th)..I wish Beth a VERY HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!! Pray this year is Blessed and you continue to grow abundantly to overflowing in the Lord!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH! I too was born at high noon in the middle of June and I am a middle child who somehow always seems to be in the middle trouble!!!I married a middle child and we have together carried on that tradition.
God has blessed my life so by your faithful walk with Jesus and your awesome Bible studies. I know this will be repeated over and over again not as flattery but as truth, you dear Beth are a blessing to us!
Happy Birthday Beth!!! What a gift you are to so many! I thank you for every Bible study you have written-each has come to me at just the perfect moment – isn’t our God amazing!!! Love to you and your family!
Happy Birthday … To a sweet loving woman of Christ. May God give you new insight in your Christian walk!